Ear pain so bad I’m in floods of tears - what can I do?

[severeearache]

I’m sobbing with it, I’m a grown adult for God sake but never felt pain like it, I could scream - it’s absolute agony, throbbing and feels like it’s going to burst inside or something . I’ve taken ibuprofen and paramol (the dihydrocodeine one) and tried a heat pad . It’s all I can think about is how much agony I’m in .

I can’t swallow or talk - can’t open my mouth fully - it’s so sore .

Tried 111 and got a message saying they’re closed for maintenance until 5.30, I don’t know if I can cope until then, stupid as it sounds .

I’ve even tried blocking the ear with ear plugs to see if that helps in case it was the air getting in making it worse but that’s not helping at all .

I’m even dithering over going to A&E but that seems ridiculous for a sore ear surely they’ll laugh me out of the building, and I’m due to go on uni placement at 9 anyway …

I'd go to GP surgery now in the hope that someone before you doesn't turn up or is late so that you can jump the queue. Hope you get some relief soon.

Can you speak to the surgery directly ? Might not be able to do much but may bring your appt forward ?

Go to a&e and take the call from GP whilst there

I’ve taken another ibuprofen, I’m tempted to take another but that would be 800mg in one dose and I’ve already got heartburn . Trying to watch old episodes of call the midwife but all I can hear is heartbeat in my ear . I’ve never felt pain so severe in all my life, I’d gladly take a gun if offered it .

Ds finds antihistamine can help his terrible earaches.

I had bilateral burst eardrums a few years ago. Dcs thought it was fab that I couldn't hear anything (well, apart from whooshing!)

Hope the gp gets you sorted. (Fellow SLT here )

I had this recently and I thought it was dental pain because i had just been for a new crown. Both the Dentist and the Oral Surgeon could not anaesthnatise me together. Endodontist said it is a sinus infection that had spread from my sinuses to my jaw.

Metranizadole clobbered it. Tell your GP that you are very concerened about an infection so close to your brain!

As pp's Doctor said this could develop into sepsis and you should be seen sooner rather than later.

Tell them that it is affecting your sleep and it is getting worse not better. Lay it on thick! @severeearache

*anaesthetize

p.s Amoxixillin didn;t touch the sides. Metranizadole worked but dentist explained it is prescribed for Sinus infections amongst others and it really works.

*amoxicillin sorry ffs!!

@severeearache you can take 800mg in one dose but go back to 400 for all the other doses for the rest of the day

Thank you, the 400mg hasn’t even touched the sides, it’s that sore I’m feeling disorientated. God knows how the doctor’s ever going to get a look in it .

You poor thing @severeearache! I had this about 8 year ago. I was in tears at work with the pain, and went first to A&E then when what they gave me made no difference and I could not cope I saw a GP privately who explained the antibiotics I had been prescribed weren't the right ones. I cried in his office and he said after prescribing for me "you aren't like this... normally are you?" I confirmed I was not. After that I was off work for a week, had to take many different pills each day while it all subsided. Sorry to tell you that but it is so utterly painful isn't it, I bet your ear is swollen too like mine was. Get urgent help and double check the antibiotics are the right ones! I would pay see a GP privately if you have the means as it was totally worth it. Maybe you could still see one today.

I’m seeing mine in half an hour thankfully @Firstruleofsoupover, or I’d be over at A&E begging. It’s just waiting on the GP appt that’s difficult as I can’t sit still for pain, as stupid as that sounds . It’s absolute agony .

good grief sorry all I somehow missed that you are seeing the GP shortly and just posted a-go-go anyway. Bit of aftercare @severeearache, GP will likely tell you anyway, but it is best after this when you are feeling human again to ensure your ears are dried first after baths showers etc. Don't leave them wet while you dry off, make them your priority with a firm but gentle blotting and then you are at less risk of repeat infection. The skin of the ear can remain a little rough/potential for cracking. Look after thissen.

You poor thing op. Hopefully the gp will get you sorted asap

I had this recently and needed a spray and antibiotics,I had no fever though so yet another thing 111 talk absolute rubbish about, I can't believe the crap they spout sometimes

I was weeping with the pain, it was horrendous OP. Good news is 2 doses of antibiotics and it started to feel better so I hope it's the same for you .

Steroid and antibiotic drops, ibuprofen and cocodamol. Perforated drum and pus . GP said should calm down by Saturday but if not to contact 111 .

On way up to chemist now .

That's good to hear they've sorted you with meds OP. Ear infections are the worst. Get plenty of rest and I hope you're feeling better soon

Hope you manage to get some sleep OP.

Owww you poor thing, glad you've got a decent plan going forward and hope they all kick in soon

Well done OP. I hope you get a night's sleep.

Read through all of that. Of course it was infected. Massively infected if your eardrum perforated. You don’t have to have a fever for your ear to be infected, WTH kind of advice is that from 111.

For anyone prone to ear infections like me, I highly recommend a digital otoscope. Big infections that definitely need treatment are easy to spot. Small issues obviously require a trained doctor, but the point here is knowing that yes, you need to be seen and it’s time to insist that you be seen.

@DriftingBlue

what is that device please???

Glad you’ve been sorted now loads of hugs hand hold, water bottle chocolate whatever makes you feel better. Pain like that is awful, eye pain is also the worst. Pressure pain pain is dreadful.